Inline deflecting swim fin

Abstract

A foot inline deflecting swim fin with hinge coupled to a two-leaf-blade fin with embedded channel-hinge with leaves free to rotate from a perpendicular fluid flow configuration upon power stroke to parallel fluid flow configuration upon an upstroke. The hinge-leaf blade will have pivot stops, limiting leaf rotations to accommodate the two stroke swim propulsion, upstroke and power stroke. An embedded unitary elastomeric hinge having integrated channel with channel limiter stops is disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUNDField of the Invention[0001]The present invention relates generally to swim fins and more particularly, to devices which attach to the feet of a swimmer to help create propulsion from a kicking motion water deflecting fin having a reduced drag profile.Background of the Invention[0002]Swim fins of all kinds have existed since mankind discovered the advantages of aquatic propulsion. Most current swim fin designs have inherent inefficiencies and for various reasons. Fin designs typically have the blade flex or bend around a transverse axis to the blade or foot. Reduced angles of attack help swimmer to generate lift or propulsive power on both light and hard kicking strokes.[0003]A swim fin's blade is designed flex or bend generally on a transverse axis so that the blade's angle of attack is reduced under the exertion of water pressure drag against an up stroke. Swim fin propulsion includes essentially two strokes, the upstroke, blade front pushes into the moving direction aga...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a hinge system for a swim fin that has a flexible channel that allows the fin to bend and flex without breaking. The hinge has a mechanism that stops the fin from bending too far, ensuring that it stays in the right position and doesn't overshoot. This results in a more efficient and effective swim fin that can help swimmers achieve better results.

Problems solved by technology

Most current swim fin designs have inherent inefficiencies and for various reasons.

But if the blade bends too far, then the kicking energy is wasted on deforming the blade since the force of water applied to the blade is not transferred efficiently back to the swimmer's foot to create forward progress.

This is a problem if a swimmer wishes to increase propulsion in emergency situations.

If the blade bends too far on a hard kick, the swimmer will have difficulty achieving high propulsion.

A fin's blades can be too stiff during slower cruise speeds in order to permit effectiveness at higher speeds, or fins they are flexible and easy to use at slow speeds but lack the ability to hold up under the increased stress of high speeds.

Fins that that are stiff enough to not over deflect during high speeds will create muscle strain, high exertion, discomfort, and increased air consumption during the majority of the time spent at slow speeds.

This design requires the use of additional parts that increase difficulty and cost of manufacturing and chances for breakage from wear.

Some of these designs use metal parts that are vulnerable to corrosion and also add undesirable weight.

This prevents the blade from deflecting on the transverse axis sufficiently during a light kick but which adds significantly to the drag profile.

Transverse axis bending fins cannot achieve both high performance power stroke and low profile drag on the up stroke simultaneously without more elaborate mechanisms to mediate the material properties for all propulsion power strokes and up strokes.

Still the issue of different power strokes and drag profiles persists and is not solved by material properties alone.

Drag forces always decrease fluid velocity relative to the solid object in the fluid's path and hence create work or lost effort.

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